Stops 1, 2 & 3

[Home] [Nature Trail] [Archaeological Trail]
[Pictures Of Doon] [Sounds] [Links]

[Stops 1, 2 and 3] [Stops 4, 5 and 6] [Stops 7, 8 and 9]
[Stops 10, 11 and 12] [Stops 13, 14 and 15]

1) Doon Wall

This is a Late Bronze Age Rampart or Wall of Defence. Though you are very welcome today to DOON if, you arrived here 2,000 years ago the defending troops would have endeavoured to make you feel most unwelcome. It is one of the most impressive and strongly-built ramparts existing in Ireland. It would have accommodated a timber palisade and walkway where defending troops and their equipment were sited. Measuring 130 metres across from east to west. it is one of the biggest of its type so far identified in Ireland. The imposing Pillar and stone wall which catch your eye are relatively recent additions by the Lord of Castlecarra who took his carriage-borne guests into Doon Peninsula for wild-fowling and leisure pursuits, oblivious to the sacred sites of our Bronze Age and Iron Age ancestors. These precious sites have been preserved by the overgrowth of Doon Wood. It is 26 acres of secondary deciduous woodland of limestone base, which, in times of habitation was cleared for construction of 30 stone houses.

2) Inner Rampart

You have ascended onto the second defensive line. This rampart would also have accommodated a wooden fence (palisade) behind which the troops patrolled. For economy of construction, at 66 metre. this is built at the neck of the peninsula. Why did these people need two lines of defence? Towards the late Bronze Age onwards. defensive features were constructed. Tribal unrest in Ireland was augmented by the influx of Celtic speaking peoples of Europe consequently, increasing population and increasing prosperity may. have led to increasing conflict. It is also postulated that such monuments were constructed for prestige.

Which theory do you think bears most weight?

3) Castlecarra

While sitting at Bench look left across the take. Built in 13th Century by Adam De Staundun, an Anglo-Norman from Warwick-shire, a Subject of De Burgo, Chief of Connaught. It is one of five Norman Castles in this locality signifying the rich pickings available in the rich plains of south and central Mayo and taking advantage of the disarray of the native feuding Irish Tribes. Many positive aspects of the Norman legacy prevail to today. They introduced towns and centralised administration, also our coinage. They established Abbey's and Castles which dot this landscape today. The adoption of the Irish Customs and Language contributed to them - becoming more "Irish than the Irish themselves".

From the Castle, look to the right along the top of the wood to two chimneys. These are part of the shell of Moorehall House, a Georgan mansion which was burnt down in 1923 by anti-treaty republican forces. Built in 1791, the occupants were prominent nationally - John Moore was President of Connaught for one week (1798); George Henry Moore chartered a ship with 4,000 tons of maize with the winnings of "The Chester Cup" by his horse "Coronna" and is renowned for none of his tenants having died from the Famine; George Augustus Moore 1852 - 1933 was a prolific novelist and Art critic. His cremated remains are interred on Castle Island, Lough Carra.
(see The Moores Of Moorehall)

[Stops 1, 2 and 3] [Stops 4, 5 and 6] [Stops 7, 8 and 9]
[Stops 10, 11 and 12] [Stops 13, 14 and 15]